Phil Prendergast (Labour)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, to the House. I raise the issue of the Befriending Service in south Tipperary. It is a community-based service of South Tipperary Mental Health and Voluntary Housing Association. The mission statement of this befriending project indicates it supports and empowers the people using its services to identify and achieve their goals and it offers companionship and support on the journey towards recovery. It is a volunteer befriending service for people over 18 years of age living in the community who are experiencing mental health problems. The ethos of the project is to foster independence, promote self-empowerment, build self-confidence and self-esteem and reduce social isolation. Research has shown that one in four people will experience mental health problems at some time in their lives. Many people, following discharge from inpatient services, feel isolated within communities, lack confidence and find it difficult to access social, educational and cultural amenities.

The mental health service in south Tipperary set up this project in 2006 and it was launched with a €25,000 grant from HSE south east at the time. Further funding of €10,000 was given through the Clonmel RAPID programme to augment the service and the proceeds of fundraising made up the balance of funding required. This service is heavily reliant on volunteers who do not receive payment for their time as they are volunteers. They have comprehensive training in confidentiality, listening skills, positive mental health, suicide awareness and stress management. Ongoing training, support and supervision is provided. It is an essential part of the project and is provided by the co-ordinator and steering committee with the added support of south Tipperary Mental Health and Voluntary Housing Association.

The project works because there is one to one befriending, which is the core activity of the project. One to one befriending endeavours to encourage independence, self-empowerment and identification of goals. The befriendee and volunteer are carefully matched by the co-ordinator who is also supported by a referral committee. The befriendee will define his or her personal goal and a contract is signed. The co-ordinator monitors progress and is available to assess it and as a means of support and advice. Generally there is a limited relationship which will enable the befriendee to widen his or her social network and increase his or her awareness. Overall, the project has been found to have a positive impact.

A user satisfaction questionnaire was sent to a random group of people who are users of the south Tipperary Befriending Service. All respondents stated there were very satisfied with the service provided and that they would recommend it to other people.

I raise this matter because this service is being discontinued and the co-ordinator will receive her P45 this week. It is being discontinued because funding of €20,000, which is needed to run the service for a year, has not been given by the HSE. I ask the Minister of State to ensure this service is continued because of the strong and positive issues it raises. I ask him to ensure this service is funded to the tune of €20,000 per annum.